Oregongrown

still struggling but I know God spoke to me through this devotional I read this a.m. so wanted to share it. As some of you know, I have gotten into a great fitness and nutrition "mode". But I have slacked off in the most important area of my life. I needed to hear this and I pray that if someone else is where I am, it will help them as well. God bless each of you, love in Christ, denise

Pursuing Meaning

New King James Version
Philippians 2:16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Most people aren’t looking for ways to make their life as pointless as possible. Everyone wants to have a life with meaning. We all want to feel like we are worth something. Some of us find worth in what we do and how we look, but we all long to be found worthy.
I have found plenty of ways to do useless things. Instead of preparing for a Bible study, I watch reruns of my favorite TV shows. Instead of praying, I aimlessly surf the Internet. Not all that is “useless” is necessarily bad. For example, instead of helping someone at home, I often go for a run outside, which is important for my physical health. But does it help my spiritual health, if I am avoiding service in order to do it?
The problem comes in when I don’t hold firmly to God’s Word—I get my priorities out of order. I compromise my standards in order to look good and make people accept me. My desire to be physically fit sometimes outweighs my desire to serve God. But all these acts are futile if I am pursuing them for the wrong reasons. My worth is not based on what people think of me but on what God thinks of me, and my faith and service to him.
Why is it that the ideals of this world seem to have such a hold on us? How do we make sure that our lives are not worthless? In this race of life, how do we finish strong? We hold onto the Word of God. We step outside of ourselves and serve those around us.
Instead of looking for ways to make yourself look better today, whether that’s physically or otherwise, look for someone in need around you. Spend your time ministering to that person. Then you will find that your work is not in vain or useless. If you are following Jesus Christ, your central purpose each day is to live for him. “Hold firmly” to him—the Word of life